WAC Basketball: Can Seattle or Grand Canyon challenge for the title in 2019?

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 09: Morgan Means #1 of the Seattle Redhawks celebrates on the court after hitting a buzzer-beating shot at the end of hte first half against the New Mexico State Aggies during a semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: Josh Hearlihy #13 of the Seattle Redhawks drives against Zach Lofton #23 of the New Mexico State Aggies during a semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 9, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. New Mexico State won 84-79. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Seattle Redhawks as WAC Contenders

Last season head coach Jim Hayford’s squad was a good defensive team, ranking 23^rd nationally in field goal percentage defense, with opponents shooting just 40.7%. They also were 53^rd in total rebounds per game with 38.18 and 52^nd in three-point field goals per game at 9.2. However, the team really struggled to create turnovers and in turnover margin, they committed over 14 per game while forcing just over 11.

Like NMSU, the Redhawks return just two of their top six scorers but welcome a big recruiting class and transfers to make up for the losses.

The two returning players are 6-8 ball handler and leading scorer Matej Kavas and 6-3 guard Morgan Means. The Slovenian averaged 15.2 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 47% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc. Means, who could be in for a breakout season with an increased role after averaging 8.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season

Two three-star guards, Trey’von Hopkins and Rip Economou give the team the top recruiting class in the conference and top-100 class nationally, according to 247Sports. Hopkins is a 6-4 combo guard who was ranked the #1 player in Oklahoma who had originally committed to Boise State. Economou is a big 6-8 shooting guard out of California who will give Seattle some length and versatility, as Economou can play multiple positions.

Joining those two will be 6-6 swingman Riley Grigsby, Jacob Eyman, a 6-9 forward, and 6-10 Anand Hundal who comes with two years of eligibility remaining after transferring from Las Positas College, all three players hail from California.

The six newcomers join four others who will see the floor for the first time after sitting out last season. Delante Jones is a 6-5 guard who last played at American where he averaged 11.5 points and 3.4 rebounds in 2016-17. Redshirt-junior Myles Carter is a 6-9 forward who played in five games at Seton Hall two years ago and Dashawn McDowell comes from SMU where the 6-5 guard appeared in 29 games. Lastly, Matthew Owies will add depth to the backcourt after the 6-0 guard averaged 11 minutes in 29 games at Hawaii.